UAE Tour route revealed: What awaits Vingegaard, Del Toro and Evenepoel?

The route for the 2026 UAE Tour has been revealed, with a number of mouth-watering opportunities for the sprinters to shine, another crucial individual time-trial, and the introduction of a brand-new summit finish that could define the general classification, across the seven stages. 

Stage 1 presents the first of four opportunities for the sprinters to get stuck in with a 144km stage finishing at Liwa Castle, but with an uphill kick to the line averaging around 5%. As is often the case at the UAE Tour, we can expect some of the very best in class to be in attendance for the sprint showdowns, including Tour de France green jersey winner Jonathan Milan.

There’s a strong possibility that there could be a change in race leadership following stage 2’s 12.2km individual time trial in Al Hudayriat, a fast course built for the specialists with a few right-angle bends and two U-turns, the notable obstacles to contend with, though wind could also be a factor.

Next on the agenda is the debut of a brand-new climb, the Jebel Mobrah, which serves as a summit finish on stage 3 and will see those who want to fight for the overall victory come to the fore. The climb to Jebel Mobrah is around 15km in length, with the first part of the climb averaging 7% before the more difficult final 6 kilometres where the gradient ramps up to an average of 12%, and a maximum of 17%.

Two more sprint opportunities followed in Fujairah and the Dubai Hamdan Smart University on stages 4 and 5, before attention once more turns to the battle for the general classification on stage 6 with a summit finish on the more recognised Jebel Hafeet. 

Twelve months ago, Tadej Pogačar sealed the overall victory on the slopes of the difficult 10km climb on the final stage. However, this time around, Jebel Hafeet will host the finish of the penultimate stage, but should still see the final decisive general classification action on its slopes.

Though the general classification will have likely been decided at this point, there’s one last chance for the sprinters to lift their arms aloft in celebration with what is expected to be a rapid dash to the finish at Abu Dhabi Breakwater on stage 7.

The majority of the start list is yet to be revealed, and although defending champion Pogačar won’t be present, the field is already looking very strong. 

Jonas Vingegaard, who won a stage here in 2021 before his breakthrough Tour de France, will kick off his 2026 season in the Middle East and will face competition from a strong UAE team spearheaded by Isaac del Toro. 

Reports indicated that 2023 winner Remco Evenepoel was also set to line up for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, and this has been supported by the UAE Tour's press release confirming the route, which stated, "The men’s race will take place from February 16 to 22. Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, Isaac del Toro and Jonathan Milan are among the top riders expected to start." 

The ninth edition of the UAE Tour is set to begin on February 16 and conclude on February 22. 

The route for the UAE Tour Women has also been revealed, with the first three stages set for a sprint finish, before a final battle on the slopes of Jebel Hafeet, just like the men's race. 

The defending champion, Elisa Longo Borghini, is confirmed to return and will be aiming to defend the overall title, whilst Lorena Wiebes will be the rider to beat in the first three sprint stages, with the Dutch rider holding the record for most stage wins at the race with six. The UAE Tour Women will take place from 5-8 February.